Lady Windermere's Fan (1925)

Other People's Business

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Adapted from Oscar Wilde's play, Ernst Lubitsch's Lady Windermere's Fan (1925) was one of his earliest American films. Among the greatest masters of all time, Lubitsch was noted for his famous "touch," which one could easily recognize when one saw it, but which writers and filmmakers have been trying to describe and duplicate unsuccessfully for decades. Lubitsch's touch magically adds back to this silent film what is missing from the lack of Wilde's witty dialogue. Of course, the plot is the same and revolves around ridiculous society people who have but to tell the truth to get out of a sticky jam. But Lubitsch was at the high point of his genius, and he has made a masterpiece not to be missed. Ronald Coleman stars, with Irene Rich, May McAvoy, Bert Lytell and Edward Martindel. Julien Josephson scripted.